There are many different health remedies which may be found in common household products, such as vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and arnica. Rather than buying expensive health food supplements, it is far more economical and practical to use what one already has in the kitchen cupboard to treat a whole range of health problems.
Home Health Remedies – Vinegar Health Benefits
Vinegar is a very common household product, which is typically used to add flavouring to different foods and has certain healing properties. In 1,001 Home Health Remedies, Browne et al. (2007) highlight key health benefits associated with vinegar, to include the following:
- combats bacteria/fungi
- takes itch out of mosquito bites
- soothes painful sun-burnt skin
- settles an upset stomach/indigestion
- prevents swimmer's ear
- makes hair shinier
- helps make skin feel softer
- reduces dandruff
- calms itchy, irritated scalp
- counters inflammation
- treats athlete's foot
- banishes cigar odour from clothes
- reduces smelly armpits and feet
- relieves jellyfish stings and itchy hives
- can be used as a headache remedy
- can be used to gargle with to relieve sore throat
Home Health Products – Bicarbonate of Soda Benefits
In addition to vinegar, most kitchen cupboards will also likely contain bicarbonate of soda, which is often featured on How Clean is your House? as an effective household cleaning product. According to Browne et al. (2007), key health benefits of using bicarbonate of soda, include as follows:
- reduces blood acids during dialysis
- eases bladder infections
- neutralizes tooth-damaging acids
- relieves insect bites/stings
- removes teeth-attacking dental plaque
- soothes heartburn symptoms
- clears up athlete's foot
- reduces foot/body odour
- soothes nappy rash symptoms/itching
- cools down sun-burnt skin
- eases painful/sore throat
Home Health Remedies – Health Benefits of Arnica
Arnica has long since been recognised as a popular herbal extract for treating both minor accidents and sports-related injuries. It is usually available as a cream and is derived from the arnica plant. Further health benefits and healing properties of arnica, are identified by Browne et al. (2007), to include the following:
- helps get rid of bruising
- relieves muscle aches/pains
- reduces swelling
- lowers inflammation and treats mild sprains
- improves blood circulation
- removes lactic acid build-up after exercise
- reduces pain
As highlighted above, three very common household healing remedies include vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and arnica. Vinegar has long since been used to relieve headaches, fight bacteria, soothe sunburn, jellyfish stings and mosquito bites, while bicarbonate of soda is used to ease bladder infections, soothe heartburn and treat athlete's foot. Arnica is known to get rid of bruising, improve circulation, provide pain relief and reduce swelling; it also helps to treat mild sprains and relive aching, sore muscles.
Source:
Browne et al. (2007) 1,001 Home Health Remedies London: Reader's Digest
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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